WCS 6th grade 24-25

Ms. Jerome here! Hello all, Academic updates: I have noticed that spelling is one of the greatest challenges for writers. We have started to focus more on spelling words and using themes to link spelling words together to make them more interesting. Last week we worked with words that were synonyms for liars. Students enjoy guessing the theme and guessing the new spelling words as I give them clues. A majority of students got at least 80% on the spelling quiz.  The new words have a theme of using "ph" to achieve the f sound. Some of the words include phantom, phases and phone. We have also started a writing stamina log that helps students stay motivated when writing for a short period of time. Students may start to bring their writing journal home to complete a writing stamina assignment at home. Social Studies: Students have started their posters! We are using stencils and stickers to create titles and subtitles. Pictures are getting glued on, paragraphs are being written. S...

Hello, I hope you enjoyed the long weekend. Author Gary Schmidt visited Woolwich Central School today. Students from grades 4-8 gathered in the gym to hear him speak. He told many entertaining stories. Ask your sixth grader about the story he told about a whale in San Francisco Harbor. He also told a good one about a very mean sixth grade teacher.  In science this week, we will be making 3-dimensional islands that we will later be forecasting weather for. We will start designing a 2-d paper model first. Have a good week. Mr. Shea

Hello, We did the NWEA reading test today. It is what we use for the Maine state testing requirement. It took most kids about 75 minutes to finish the 36 question test. We will do the math portion of the test on Thursday. I felt good about the effort that our class put into the test.  We allow them to chew gum (provided) and to take frequent breaks. Feel free to ask your sixth grader what they thought.  In reading we started our new books this week. Let me know if you want a copy at home for your own use. They are entertaining reads and might give you something else to talk about.  Lots of hurricane talk in weather. Sixth graders should know the difference between High and Low pressure systems at this point. Hurricanes are extremely low pressure systems.  A reminder that Friday is a professional development day for teachers. No school for students. Monday is Indigenous People's Day. That makes it a four day weekend for the young ones.  Thanks for reading, Mr. Sh...

 Hello, Ms. Jerome here! In Social Studies, we have started research for our state fair posters. Students have collected pictures and information including unique destinations, authentic foods and natural disasters. Most students are caught up on the research and we will begin making posters on Tuesday. If you could donate glue sticks to the classroom, that would be wonderful! I have poster boards for everyone.  Yesterday, students completed their first personal narrative in writing class. Most students were able to complete a page on google docs. We focused on writing about a moment with details instead of writing a story that covers an entire day and does not focus on detail. Next week we will focus on typing skills as many students type using their pointer fingers only.  Hygiene update: Many students are coming in with colds this time of year. We have talked about wiping down desks and washing our hands. It wouldn't hurt to remind your students of some hygiene basics ...

Hello, We finished The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg today in class. The climax of the story takes place during the Battle of Gettysburg. We talked a bit about Joshua Chamberlain, the 20th Maine, Little Round Top, Pickett's Charge and the horrors of war. It might be interesting to hear your sixth grader's take aways from the book or the discussions.  We will be moving on to the fantasy/science fiction genre(s) for our next choice. Earlier in the week, I put out 18 different book choices for students to choose from. They could choose their next book with only one stipulation: At least two others from the class would also have to choose that book. That way I can put together small book groups that can discuss their reading.  The books chosen (to be started next week) are: Artemis Fowl , Lionboy , Matched , City of Ember , Imposters and The Power of Un . Research shows that when students are given choices, they put more effort into their reading. This also allows me t...

Hello! Overall, most students were prepared and did very well on their water cycle quizzes. Thanks for your help at home. We had a few students miss some questions because "they looked like directions," so they skipped them. Another lesson to be learned is to check carefully before passing in a test for careless mistakes or anything left blank.  While I usually allow retakes, the water cycle info will reappear on our unit weather test, so they can erase a poor grade by doing well on that one.  Thanks for the support on the reading logs. We're at 90% returned on Mondays.  Open house is Thursday night. Hope to see you there. Have a good night. Mr. Shea